Vendée Holiday Cottages

General
This is a legally binding contract between the property owner, and the holidaymaker. The property owner is also referred to as "we" and "us".
The holidaymaker is the person who signs the booking form or, in the case of online booking, the person who makes the online payment. This person is responsible for ensuring all members of the holiday party accept and adhere to these terms and conditions. The holidaymaker is also referred to as "you".
The property referred to being mentioned in all correspondence.

Bookings
A booking deposit of 30% of the cost of the holiday is payable within 5 days of the provisional booking being taken. The booking is taken on a provisional basis until the deposit has been paid in full and funds cleared through the banking system (where appropriate). The booking then becomes confirmed. Until the booking is confirmed, it can be cancelled at any time without prior notice.
The balance (70%) of the rental charge, along with the breakage deposit, is payable not less than 8 weeks prior to the start of the holiday. Failure to pay the deposit or balance in full by the due dates will constitute a cancellation of the holiday by the holidaymaker. Please be sure to note the due dates - we will send out a reminder email closer to the date.
Bookings made less than 8 weeks prior to the arrival date must be paid in full at the time of booking.

COVID INFORMATION
1. It is the guest's responsibility to ensure that they are aware of any travel restrictions that may be in operation due to Covid 19 - both in their own country and France. Please see your local Government website for current travel arrangements.
2. If you decide to travel during a pandemic, then you must take some responsibility for your actions - we will not refund monies if your travel is curtailed or cancelled (ferries/flights cancelled etc..)
3. We are happy to accept bookings from guests for future bookings - but please note that if restrictions are subsequently imposed on travel - we will only postpone your dates or issue a credit voucher for a future holiday. We will not refund money paid unless we are able to re-book your dates with guests who are able to travel. (Unless we are instructed by our Government that we must offer refunds)
4. If you or one of your party is Covid-positive just before travelling, then you need to contact your insurance company, as we are advising all guests to take out an insurance policy that will cover against cancellation, medical and transport problems. Our normal Terms and Conditions will apply. As a business, we cannot become your insurance policy and you need to take some responsibility for booking a foreign holiday during an ongoing pandemic.
5. If you start to feel unwell during your holiday - please inform us immediately and we will point you in the right direction for medical treatment.
6. Please ensure that you take out adequate medical insurance for your holiday at the time of booking. If you are based in the UK, then the EHIC card will continue to be valid for basic health care, but does not replace medical insurance (For example it will not cover repatriation costs).
7. If you have booked a holiday, but decide not to travel (even though restrictions are not in place), we will only be able to refund any monies paid if we are able to re-book your holiday dates.

Cancellation by the Holidaymaker
Cancellation of the booking by the holidaymaker should be made in writing and addressed to:
Vendée Holiday Cottages, and emailed to: contact@vendeeholidaycottages.com

In the event of a cancellation prior to 8 weeks before the holiday start - only the Booking Deposit will be forfeited. Thereafter, cancellation charges will be the full rental price.
If we are able to re-let your cancelled holiday week(s), we will refund your deposit and final payment (where appropriate), however we will deduct £50 as an administration fee, plus more if we have to spend money on extra advertising or discounts to sell your cancelled dates.
We would strongly recommend that clients take out insurance at the time of booking – to cover medical, personal and cancellation charges.

Cancellation by the Property Owner
The property owner will endeavour to make sure the stated property is available for the dates contracted. In the unlikely event the property becomes unavailable and the property owner has to cancel the booking, the property owner will endeavour to find the holidaymaker suitable alternative accommodation. If suitable alternative accommodation cannot be found, the holidaymaker shall be entitled to a full refund. The property owner shall only be liable to return the monies received. No compensation or consequential losses shall be paid.

Miscellaneous
Whilst every care is taken to provide a true and accurate description of the property, over time, alterations are made and some things do change. The holidaymaker accepts that no refunds are available for such discrepancies.
The property owner reserves the right to enter the property, at a reasonable time, in the event of an emergency or remedial repair work being required. In the event of any equipment breakdown the client is asked to notify us, or the property owners if on-site, and repairs will be completed as soon as possible.
We will not be liable for any temporary stoppage to the supply of public services to the property (i.e.: electricity, water, internet etc) nor in respect of any equipment or appliance failure.
No unauthorised use of personal electrical appliances (fans, heaters, electric blankets etc..)
The property owner is entitled to ask the holidaymaker to leave the property without any refund if, in the property owner's opinion, the behaviour of the holidaymaker and/or his/her party is unacceptable.
The property owner reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone, who in the property owner's opinion, is not suitable or capable of taking charge of the property.
The property owner reserves the right to ask the holidaymaker and their party to leave the property, without refund, should the behaviour of the holidaymaker and/or their party be considered by the property owner to be unreasonable.
For properties with neighbours: Guests are reminded to be respectful of neighbours near to the holiday property and should not play loud music late in the evening or early morning. In France we have 'Quiet hours' between 22h00 and 07h00.

Number of Guests
The maximum number of people entitled to stay at each property is as stated on the property description and furthermore, only those people named on the booking form are entitled to stay. If it is found that more people than agreed are using the property, this will be considered a breach of contract and the holidaymaker and his/her party will be asked to leave immediately without any refund. Sub-letting or assignation of the let is prohibited.

Pets
Pets are only allowed in certain properties subject to the property owner's agreement. All pets must be house trained and the number and type of pet must not exceed what was agreed at the time of booking, otherwise a breach of contract will be deemed to have taken place and the owner can cancel the reservation.
Pets must not be left unaccompanied in the property at any time and must not be allowed on the beds or furniture. The holidaymaker shall be liable for all damage caused by his/her pet or any pet belonging to the holidaymaker's party. A charge will be made for any additional cleaning required. The property owner cannot be held responsible for any accident or injury to a pet during their stay.
If you are bringing your dog over from the UK, please remember that it will need a NEW Pet passport/ health certificate now that the UK is no longer part of the EU. Please consult your vet as soon as possible to ensure enough time for the new procedures.

Swimming Pools
For properties with pools: In order to comply with French legislation you are advised that access to the owner’s private pool is not part of the letting contract, but is by invitation only. This invitation is herewith formally extended to you and those guests listed on the original booking form, during your rental, but may be withdrawn at the owner’s discretion.
Children must never be left unattended in a swimming pool area.

Internet Usage
Access to internet services is included in the rental price for this holiday property. Guests must not download any illegal/pirate material and must be aware that if the holiday property is in a rural/remote location, then services may not be high speed. This may not be suitable for ‘streaming’ of TV services.

Arrival and Departure Time
Every effort will be made to have the property available from the time stated on the reservation invoice on the day of arrival. The property must be vacated by 10am on the day of departure. Late departure will result in an additional charge being made. Information about keys and how to collect them will be provided once full payment has been received.

Insurance
It is the responsibility of the holidaymaker and all of their party to ensure that they take out adequate insurance for their holiday at the time of booking.

This must include:
1. Holiday cancellation - due to illness (of you or another party member), travel restrictions or 'changing your mind'.
2. Medical Insurance - to cover medical costs whilst travelling to your holiday destination, whilst at your holiday destination and for repatriation if required due to medical reasons. Visits to doctors and hospitals are chargeable in France, so you must have insurance if you wish to claim when you return home.
3. Vehicle Insurance - including breakdown recovery in Europe

Please note: If you are travelling from your prime residence in another part of France you will still be required to have holiday cancellation and vehicle insurance.

If you cancel your holiday due to reasons that you can claim for on your insurance policy, then this is the first step that you will need to take in order to have your deposits and payments refunded. We can only refund payments if we are able to re-sell your reserved dates (less any admin fees, extra advertising costs or discounts that we have to give in order to sell the holiday dates). We are happy to provide any paperwork needed for your insurance claim.

For guests from the UK, please remember that your EHIC card will not replace full insurance now as the UK has left the EU.

Liability
The property owner takes no responsibility for the personal possessions of the holidaymaker or the holidaymaker's party. Vehicles and possessions are left entirely at the risk of the holidaymaker. Holidaymakers are strongly advised to take out personal insurance against damage, cancellation and medical needs.
Children must be supervised at all times.

Cleaning
We would like to think that the holidaymaker and their party would treat the property as they would their own home and at the end of the holiday that the property is left in a clean and tidy condition. The property owner retains the right to make an additional charge for cleaning should the property not be left in a similar condition to the way it was found at the start of the holiday.
As a minimum, guests must: strip the beds, empty rubbish bins, tidy furniture, wash all dishes, do not leave dirty items in the dishwasher, and clean BBQ & oven.

Breakages
The holidaymaker should make every effort to keep the property, fixtures and fittings and all contents in the same state of repair and condition as at the start of the holiday. Any accidental damage or breakages should be reported to the property owner (or their representative) as soon as they happen or at the latest, prior to departure. The property owner retains the right to make an additional charge for damage and breakages although it should be noted that minor breakages and reasonable wear and tear (in the opinion of the property owner) will not be charged for. Your security deposit will not be returned on your departure day, but will be returned within 2 weeks of the end of your holiday.

Complaints
Every endeavour is made to ensure your stay with us is memorable for all the right reasons. However, we do recognise that from to time things do go wrong. In these circumstances, it is the responsibility of the holidaymaker to make any such problem known to the property owner (or their representative) immediately it becomes apparent, thereby giving the property owner the opportunity to correct the situation. Unless this procedure is followed, no subsequent claim will be entertained.
The property owner will make every endeavour to rectify any identified problems as soon as is reasonably possible.

Return of Breakage Deposit
Your breakage deposit, minus any deductions, will be returned to you within two weeks of your departure.